Xeon E5-2630 v2 vs Xeon E3-1281 v3
Xeon E5-2630 v2
Xeon E3-1281 v3
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Xeon E5-2630 v2 is positioned at rank 949 and the Xeon E3-1281 v3 is on rank 758, so the Xeon E3-1281 v3 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5-2630 v2
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E3-1281 v3
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon E5-2630 v2 | Xeon E3-1281 v3 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($1,224) | ✅ More affordable ($636) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Legacy / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon E5-2630 v2 | Xeon E3-1281 v3 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+95%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($1,224) | ✅ More affordable ($636) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Xeon E5-2630 v2 and Xeon E3-1281 v3
Xeon E5-2630 v2
The Xeon E5-2630 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 15 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 7,490 points. Launch price was $250.
Xeon E3-1281 v3
The Xeon E3-1281 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 82 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1333, DDR3L-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 7,587 points. Launch price was $800.
Processing Power
The Xeon E5-2630 v2 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon E3-1281 v3 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Xeon E5-2630 v2 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Xeon E5-2630 v2 versus 4.1 GHz on the Xeon E3-1281 v3 — a 27.8% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1281 v3 (base: 2.6 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Xeon E5-2630 v2 is built on the Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) architecture. In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2630 v2 scores 7,490 against the Xeon E3-1281 v3's 7,587 — a 1.3% lead for the Xeon E3-1281 v3. L3 cache: 15 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2630 v2 vs 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Xeon E3-1281 v3.
| Feature | Xeon E5-2630 v2 | Xeon E3-1281 v3 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 12+50% | 4 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 3.1 GHz | 4.1 GHz+32% |
| Base Clock | 2.6 GHz | 3.7 GHz+42% |
| L3 Cache | 15 MB (total)+88% | 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | — |
| Process | 22 nm | 22 nm |
| Architecture | Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) | — |
| PassMark | 7,490 | 7,587+1% |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 549 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 3,654 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon E5-2630 v2 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon E3-1281 v3 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Xeon E5-2630 v2 | Xeon E3-1281 v3 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA2011 | LGA1150 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0+33% | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1600 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 768 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 4 | — |
| ECC Support | ✅ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 40 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Xeon E5-2630 v2) / not specified (Xeon E3-1281 v3). Primary use case: Xeon E5-2630 v2 targets Server.
| Feature | Xeon E5-2630 v2 | Xeon E3-1281 v3 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | — |
| Target Use | Server | — |
Value Analysis
The Xeon E5-2630 v2 launched at $1069 MSRP, while the Xeon E3-1281 v3 debuted at $555. At current prices ($1224 vs $636), the Xeon E3-1281 v3 is $588 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E5-2630 v2 delivers 6.1 pts/$ vs 11.9 pts/$ for the Xeon E3-1281 v3 — making the Xeon E3-1281 v3 the 64.4% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon E5-2630 v2 | Xeon E3-1281 v3 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $1069 | $555-48% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $1224 | $636-48% |
| Performance per Dollar | 6.1 | 11.9+95% |
| Release Date | 2013 | 2014 |
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